Sent to participate in diplomatic talks between the Kingdom of Manticore and the Republic of Haven, Honor Harrington discovers that she is stranded on the fiercely patriarchal, misogynist planet Grayson.

Three years after the events of On Basilisk Station, Captain Honor Harrington returns to the Star Kingdom following an extended anti-piracy campaign in the Silesian Confederacy.

As the long-anticipated war with Haven looming close, Manticore is working to form an Alliance with many small nations.

After Harrington departs with three of the four Manticoran warships, Courvosier begins diplomatic efforts with Admiral Bernard Yanakov, the commander of the Grayson Navy.

Unbeknownst to them, the Masadans command two Havenite warships that swiftly overwhelm Grayson's outdated defenses, resulting in the tragic deaths of both Courvosier and Yanakov.

Despite knowing the outcome is hopeless, Harrington commits Fearless against Thunder of God hoping to do enough damage to prevent them from carpet bombing Grayson.

In a desperate gamble, the Manticoran reinforcements distract the Masadan crew at a crucial moment and allow Fearless to deliver the killing blow.

Finally, the Manticoran government creates Harrington a Countess and names her a Companion of the Knights of King George.